Best 20 Light Cheesecake Recipes

LIGHT AND AIRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Wrap the exterior of an 8-inch springform pan with aluminum foil, then spray the interior with cooking spray. Spread the vanilla wafer crumbs over the bottom and sides of the pan, pressing firmly to adhere.
• Cream together the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy in a large glass or metal mixing bowl. Add the cream of tartar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites should form a sharp peak that holds its shape.
• Use a rubber spatula or wire whisk to fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cream cheese mixture . Gently run the spatula through the center of the bowl, then around the sides of the bowl, repeating until fully incorporated. Add the remaining egg whites, folding just until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place springform pan on towel, inside roasting pan, and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes. The cheesecake is ready when the edges have nicely puffed and the surface of the cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken. Turn off the oven, and allow the cheesecake to rest in the oven for 1 hour before placing into the refrigerator, and cooling 4 hours to overnight.

LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs, butter and 1 teaspoon sugar. Press onto the bottom and 1/2 in. up sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 325°., In a large bowl, beat cream cheeses and remaining 1-1/4 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, cornstarch and vanilla. Add eggs and egg whites; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake 60-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled., Remove rim from pan. Top cheesecake with strawberries.

LIGHT, SUMMERY LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a loaf pan, or any pan with sides at least 4 inches high.
• Beat sugar and butter using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until creamy, scraping the bowl often with a rubber spatula. Continue to beat, adding eggs 1 at a time, until well combined.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and continue beating the sugar mixture. Gradually add flour mixture alternatively with buttermilk until well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and lemon extract; mix well. Spread pound cake crust mixture into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.
• Let pound cake cool completely. Cut cake into pieces and press into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat cream cheese and sugar using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add lemon pudding, sour cream, and lemon zest; blend well. Pour filling into prepared crust and spread evenly.
• Fill an oven-safe container with water and place it in the preheated oven under the rack where you will place the cheesecake; this will prevent cracking.
• Bake cheesecake in the preheated oven until almost set, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt together in a bowl using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Pour in sugar while beating constantly until glossy peaks form.
• Remove cheesecake from oven, leaving oven on. Spread meringue topping over the filling to edges, using a spatula to tap for desired peaks. Return cheesecake immediately to oven.
• Continue to bake cheesecake until meringue is golden brown, 14 to 15 minutes. Turn off the oven. Crack the oven door open, and let cheesecake set and slowly cool for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cheesecake cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes more. Refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.

LIGHT LEMONY BERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan with cooking spray.
• Use a measuring cup to gently press the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spray the crust with cooking spray. The crust will not be very thick.
• In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, and vanilla and blend until smooth. Pour into the crust and bake for 40 minutes. Let cool completely. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight.
• Toss the berries with a pinch of sugar. Serve the cheesecake cold, topping each slice with some of the berries.

LIGHT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let set 5 minutes. Place the bowl over hot water in the pan and stir until gelatin dissolves; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in rum, egg yolks and dissolved gelatin. Beat in the melted chocolate. Fold in whipped cream.
• In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Pour mousse into pie crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter or margarine, and 1/4 cup white sugar. Pat mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. A 9 x 13 inch pan may also be used.
• Prepare dream whip according to directions.
• Beat cream cheese with 1 cup white sugar and vanilla; beat until creamy. Fold Dream Whip ™ into cream cheese mixture. Spread filling over crust. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours, or until firm.

LIGHT CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with rack set in lower third. Assemble a 9-inch springform pan with the rimmed side of the pan facing down. Coat pan with cooking spray; line side with a long strip of waxed or parchment paper.
• In a food processor, grind graham crackers until fine crumbs form. Add oil, and pulse to moisten. Transfer crumbs to prepared pan, and press firmly into the bottom. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until crust is lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wipe bowl and blade of food processor. Blend cottage cheese and cream cheese until very smooth and glossy, scraping down bowl as necessary, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup sugar, sour cream, eggs, flour, vanilla, and salt; blend just until filling is smooth.
• Pour filling onto crust (crust can be hot or warm). Bake until barely set in center, about 1 hour. Turn oven off; let cake cool in oven 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.
• Make topping: In a large skillet, combine cherries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Boil over high heat until liquid is thick and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• To serve, unmold cheesecake (peel off and discard paper). Transfer to a serving platter; top with cherry topping.

LIGHT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Coat a 9-in. springform pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle with crumbs; set aside. Place the half-and-half, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sugar, cocoa, flour and vanilla in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in egg substitute. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. , Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen and cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate. Refrigerate leftovers.

LIGHT AND FLUFFY LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crush biscuits and add to melted butter.
• Press into a 9" spring form cake tin.
• Bake in oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees celsius.
• Dissolve jelly in hot water.
• Add lemon juice to make up 1 cup of liquid and also add lemon rind.
• Whip evaporated milk until very thick.
• Beat separately the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.
• Fold into beaten milk.
• Fold in warm jelly and lemon mixture.
• Pour into case and chill 24 hours.
• Decorate with cream and strawberries if desired.

LIGHT RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Cream together sugar and butter; stir in egg; combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; add to butter mixture; mix to form a soft dough; reserve a half cup dough to be used later for topping; refrigerate the remaining dough.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whip egg whites until stiff; combine egg yolks, sugar, ricotta cheese, sour cream, flour, salt, orange juice, and vanilla in a large bowl and beat until smooth; gently fold in whipped egg whites.
• Press chilled dough evenly into a 10" springform pan that has been lightly sprayed with no-stick cooking spray; pour filling over crust; combine reserved dough with oatmeal and cinnamon; crumble this topping evenly over filling.
• Bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near center of cheesecake comes out clean.
• Cool cheesecake on rack; cover and refrigerate to chill thoroughly; just before serving remove sides of springform pan and transfer cheesecake to serving platter.

LIGHT LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Spray 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 of the graham cracker crumbs; set aside.
• Dissolve gelatin completely in boiling water in a small bowl, stirring 2 minutes.
• Pour into blender container.
• Add cheeses; cover.
• Blend on medium speed until smooth, scraping down sides occasionally.
• Pour into large bowl.
• Gently stir in whipped topping.
• Spread in prepared pie plate.
• Sprinkle remaining crumbs around outside edge, leaving center plain.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
• Just before serving, gently spread pie filling onto center of cheesecake.

LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Cream egg yolks and sugar then add cream cheese 8 onces at a time blending well. Next add the sour cream, flour, vanilla, pineapple and juice.
• Beat egg whites addding pinch of cream of tartar (I use a 1/4 teaspoon) Beat until stiff, then fold into batter.
• Prepare 10 inch springform pan.
• Grease and sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on bottom and sides of pan.
• Put batter in prepared pan.
• Place pan in a pan of water. (I use a large roasting pan with about an inch or two of water).
• Bake at 350 for 50 Minutes.
• Then turn off oven and leave door halfway opened for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour remove cake from oven.

LIGHT LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on the bottom and up the sides of a 9-in. springform pan well coated with cooking spray; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and salt until smooth. Add egg whites; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the lemon juice, vanilla and lemon zest., Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 325° for 70-80 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Top with strawberries and kiwi.

APPLE CINNAMON CHEESECAKE (LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).
• Spray an 8-inch (2 L) springform pan with vegetable spray.
• In bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, water, margarine and cinnamon; mix well. Press onto bottom and sides of springform pan; refrigerate.
• Put ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, sugar, 2 tbsp of the flour, egg, 1 tsp of the cinnamon, vanilla and almond extract in food processor; process until smooth. In small bowl, combine remaining 1 tbsp flour and remaining 1 tsp cinnamon with apples. Stir apple mixture into batter. Pour into pan and bake for 25 minutes or until set around edges but still slightly loose at center.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together sour cream, sugar and vanilla; pour over cheesecake and sprinkle with nuts. Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes longer. Topping will be loose. Let cool and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

LIGHT & CREAMY LAYERED LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• To make bottom layer:.
• Mix flour, margarine, and chopped nuts together and spread evenly in 9" x 13" x 2.5" pan.
• Bake 15 minutes on 350 degrees.
• Cool.
• To make second layer:.
• Blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Cool Whip in mixer.
• Spread over crust.
• To make third layer:.
• Mix pudding according to package directions (using 3 Celsius milk for 2 packages) and pour immediately into pan.
• To make top layer:.
• Spread remaining 9 oz. Cool Whip on top of other layers.

LIGHT-AS-AIR LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• DIRECTIONS 1. In food processor, process crumbs (to make crumbs,, 2 tablespoons of the sugar and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture firmly over bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in a 350˚ oven until lightly browned (about 10 minutes). 2. In clean food processor, combine 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the sugar, both packages of cream cheese, 1 cup of the sour cream, eggs, egg whites, lemon peel, lemon juice and flour. Process until smooth. 3. Pour cream cheese filling into crust. Return to oven and bake until filling jiggles only slightly in center when pan is gently shaken. (35-45 minutes) Cool in pan or on rack for 30 minutes. After you take the cake out of the oven, stir together remaining 1 cup sour cream and remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, cover and refrigerate. Spread cooled cheesecake with sour cream topping. Cover and refrigerate until cold (at least four hours). To serve, remove springform pan rim. Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries, if desired.

COOKING LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• To prepare cheesecake, place ½ cup sugar, wafers, and a dash of salt in food processor and process until the mixture resembles sand.
• Place one egg white in a small bowl and stir with a whisk until frothy. With the processor on, add 2 tbsp egg white through the chute, processing until blended. (Discard remaining egg white.).
• Spray 8 inch springform pan with cooking spray, and then firmly press mixture into the bottom of the pan and slightly up the sides.
• Bake at 350 for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Reduce oven to 300 degrees.
• Combine 1 ½ cups sugar, 3 tbsp cornstarch, and remaining dash salt in a large bowl. Add cheese and beat with a mixer on medium high speed until smooth.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and add vanilla and 1 tsp lemon juice and beat until just combined. Add eggs one at a time, and beat after each addition until just combined.
• Pour cheese mixture into prepared springform pan. Bake at 300 degrees for an hour and 15 minutes or until a 3 inch circle in the center of the cheesecake barely jiggles when the side of the pan is tapped.
• Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in the oven for 30 minutes with the door open.
• Remove cheesecake from oven, run a knife around the outside edge. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

STRAWBERRY BANANA CHEESECAKE (LIGHT OR FULL FAT VERSIONS)

Steps:

• FOR CRUST:.
• Put crumbs, melted butter, and honey in food processor and process until smooth.
• Spray 9-inch spring-form pan with cooking spray and press crumbs in pan.
• Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until edges feel firm and dry.
• Set aside until cool to the touch.
• FOR STRAWBERRIES/BANANAS:.
• In a food processor, combine strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch; cover and process until smooth.
• Pour into a saucepan; bring to a boil on medium-low.
• Boil and stir for 2 minutes. Cover sauce and refridgerate until needed.
• Cut two bananas into even slices, and set aside.
• FOR CHEESCAKE:.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in condensed milk. Add lemon juice; mix well. Add eggs, beat on low until just combined.
• FOR ASSEMBALY:.
• Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over crust.
• using 1/2 teaspoonfulls, carefully drop a thin layer of strawberry sause over the first layer of cream cheese. cover with an ever layer of slices bananas. Carefully spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over sauce.
• Drop more strawberry sauce by 1/2 teaspoonfuls on top. With a butter knife, cut through top layer only to swirl strawberry sauce.
• Cover remaining strawberry sauce and refrigerate. Come serving, warm sauce in the microwave. If it has thickened excessively, add some water to make it pourable.
• Bake cheesecake at 300 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. You may need to bake a touch if using the lower-fat ingrediants.
• Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove side of pan and serve with strawberry sauce.

DELICIOUS LITE CHEESECAKE (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray (coat well!).
• Combine crumbs, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, and melted margarine, then firmly press crumb mixture into bottom of pan.
• Combine 2/3 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, vanilla, light cream cheese, and fat free cream cheese in a large bowl and beat at high speed of a mixer until smooth.
• Add milk and sour cream to cheese mixture, then beat until smooth.
• Beat egg whites at high speed of a mixer until soft peaks form.
• Clean and dry beaters, then add sugar to egg whites, a tablespoon at a time, until all sugar is incorperated and peaks form again.
• Gently fold egg white mixture into cheese mixture.
• Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until almost set (a few inches in the middle will still jiggle lightly, and the edges will have started to pull away from the sides of the pan).
• Remove from oven, and run a dull knife around the edge of the cheesecake to seperate it from the side of the pan (helps prevent cracking).
• Cool completely on a wire rack, then cover and chill overnight. Enjoy the NEXT DAY!

LIGHT & EASY CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Line a 9-in. square pan with foil; coat with cooking spray and set aside., In a small bowl, beat butter and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add flour and salt; mix well. Press into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until edges are golden brown., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine cream cheeses and remaining sugar until smooth. Add egg; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in lemon zest and remaining lemon juice. Pour over crust. , Bake 14-18 minutes longer or until filling is set., Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Using foil, lift bars out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut into squares, then triangles. Garnish with raspberries.,